PARTNERSHIP EXPANDS FOR 2021 TO INCLUDE THE CLUTCH AMATEUR TOUR, CLUTCH JUNIOR TOUR, CLUTCH INTERNATIONAL SERIES AS WELL AS THE CLUTCH PRO TOUR
Hot on the heels of their recent announcement to support the ladies’ game at all levels with a new partnership with the LPGA, Mizuno is at it again by re-committing their efforts to support the UK’s leading gender equal platform, Clutch Golf Tours, throughout the 2021 season.
Founded in Osaka, Japan in 1906, Mizuno has long held an enviable industry-wide reputation for crafting the finest irons on the market and being at the forefront of technological innovation. The company has always recognized the importance of supporting and developing player talent, as is evidenced by their ongoing support for the growing Clutch Golf platform.
Clutch Golf is a leading golf event provider in the UK, offering events from grassroots through to elite levels. Clutch Golf’s objective is to stage influential events open to both males and females, providing an exciting and fair platform for player development.
Mizuno were one of the first partners of the Clutch Pro Tour in 2020 and will partner Clutch Golf in 2021 across the Clutch Golf network, including the Clutch Pro Tour, the Clutch Amateur Tour, The Clutch Junior Tour and the Clutch International Series.
“We are delighted to partner with Clutch Golf again through 2021,” said Mizuno’s Alex Thorne. “It’s a superb, inclusive platform that provides exceptional opportunity and support for burgeoning talent. The standard of play on the Clutch Pro Tour is extremely high and, with the Clutch Amateur Tour and Clutch Junior Tour, the ambition to expand the game and encourage new players is clear. It’s something we’re very pleased to be a part of.”
Mizuno will continue as official manufacturing partner for 2021 as well title sponsorship of two UK Clutch Pro Tour events, two Clutch Junior Tour events and a Clutch International Event scheduled for Gloria Golf in Turkey this December.
The Clutch Pro Tour consists of 25 events open to men and women, with a total prize fund of £340,000 for the season. The top three finishes on the Order of Merit pick up entry to Q school, entry into a Challenge or LET event, plus a place in Open Qualifying.
“Through a diligent approach and understanding of the game, the Clutch Pro Tour has expanded rapidly,” said Thorne. “High-quality events with innovative formats and reward schemes across the UK provide playing opportunities for the next generation of professional golfers, both male and female.”
The 2021 Order of Merit winner will receive a full-service equipment deal with Mizuno for the 2022 season, including clubs, apparel and footwear, plus on-going support from Mizuno’s team of European Tour technicians; while the Japanese manufacturer will also provide equipment support to a selection of leading players on the Clutch Pro Tour through the 2021 season.
The Clutch Junior Tour for 2021 comprises 13 events across the UK open to boys and girls, while the Clutch Amateur Tour gives aspiring male and female golfers a chance to compete against professional opposition, as well as handicap golfers the opportunity to test their competitive mettle.
For more on Clutch Golf, visit www.clutchprotour.co.uk